Armed Yemeni supporters of the Iran-backed Houthi movement brandish their weapons during a protest in Sanaa.
Houthis say they don't seek to close key Bab al-Mandeb Strait
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A Houthi spokesman said on Friday that the group was not blocking traffic through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, after declaring a maritime blockade earlier this week on their foe Saudi Arabia.
"There is no closure of Bab al-Mandab as some are suggesting," said Mohammed Abdusalam, who is also a top Houthi negotiator, adding that their position was "limited to a maritime blockade that only affects the Saudi side".
His remarks came a day after the group announced they had attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
Abdul Salam added that "Yemen's declared position, as announced by the Yemeni Armed Forces, is limited to a maritime ban targeting only the Saudi side, in response to its blockade of Yemen and its refusal to accept any fair approach to a solution that guarantees the security, sovereignty, and independence of the Yemeni people."
A maritime blockade could increase pressure on the Saudi economy by restricting access to the kingdom's Red Sea ports.
Despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has continued exporting millions of barrels of crude oil daily through its East-West Pipeline, which links its Gulf energy facilities to export terminals on the Red Sea.
The Iran-backed Houthis announced Monday that they were imposing a maritime ban on Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions between the two sides and as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained disrupted by the intensifying fighting between Iran and the United States.
The Houthis subsequently issued warning messages to ships sailing in the region.
According to a message recorded by a vessel transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Monday, the warnings specifically targeted Saudi-affiliated ships.
The message said: "This is the Yemeni Naval Forces... We warn all vessels belonging to the Saudi enemy against sailing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Failure to comply with the decision of the Yemeni Armed Forces will make those vessels legitimate targets."
The Houthis announced Wednesday that they had targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea with missiles and drones.
Despite the attacks, shipping in the Red Sea continued on Thursday, while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to its lowest level in more than two months.
